schwieger



Feb. 7, 1956 SCHWlEGER 2,733,478

CRAYON MOLDS Filed D60. 27, 1954 INVENTOR. 07 02 Jamed Sckwz'eger ATTORNEY United States PatentOfiice 2,733,47 Patented Feb. 7,- 1956 2,733,478 CRAYON MOLDS Orin James Schwieger, Denver, Colo. Application December 27, 1954, Serial No. 477,737 3 Claims. (Cl. 18-34) This invention relates to hot water molds; and more particularly, to molds for use in hot water to reshape blunt heat softenable crayon points.

Children of grade school age make frequent use of heat softenable crayons, more commonly known as Crayolas, for coloring their drawings in school and elsewhere. Such crayons Wear down rapidly during use and must frequently be repointed or sharpened in order to make narrow accurate lines.

Crayon sharpeners are quite commonly used for sharpening crayons. However, the shavings produced by a crayon sharpener create quite a problem as they oftentimes stain the clothing and are tracked across the floors and into the rugs.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a mold for use in hot water to reshape blunt heat softenable crayon points and thereby eliminate the mess created by crayon shavings as well as the loss of a considerable portion of the crayon itself.

A second object of the invention is the provision of a crayon mold which may be used in a hot tap water bath to reform dulled crayon points.

Additional objects of the invention are the provision of a crayon mold which is simple and safe to use, inexpensive, and decorative in appearance.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the description of the drawing which follows; and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the crayon mold of the present invention in diametrical section and immersed in a hot water bath with a heat softenable crayon positioned to be reshaped in the mold;

Figure 2 is a diametrical section of the crayon mold alone;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the crayon mold; and,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a slightly modified form of the crayon mold of the present invention.

Referring now in particular to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the crayon mold of the present invention will be seen to comprise an inverted cup-shaped base adapted to be placed within a hot water bath 12, and a die member 14. Die member 14 is formed of a heat conducting material in order that heat may be transferred through the Walls thereof from the hot water bath to a heat softenable crayon 16 positioned therein to be reshaped. Herein, whenever the word crayon is used it refers to the heat softenable wax base type some of which are commonly sold under the name Crayola. The top 18 of the base is provided with an opening 20 within which the die member 14 is carried in position to extend downward into the interior of the base. The top of the base is also provided with one or more air vents 22 to permit the hot water of the bath to rise inside the base and surround the die member in heat conducting relation. The base 10 is also preferably formed of a heat conducting material in order that it may conduct heat from the water bath to the die member by means of which the crayon is heated and softened.

Die member 14 is provided with an upwardly flaring conical depression 24 which reshapes the blunt end of the heat softened crayon 16 inserted therein. An opening 26 is preferably provided in the die member at the apex of the conical depression in order that the air may be released from beneath a crayon inserted into the die. Opening 26 also provides a convenient means for releasing a crayon within the die member.

The modification of Figure 4 differs from the mold of Figures 1 through 3 in that the upwardly flaring conical depression 24 is formed as a part of the base 10 thereby eliminating a separate die member 14. With the conical depression being formed in the top of the base it is necessary that the base be made of a heat conducting material. a

In order to reshape the blunt ends of heat softenable crayons it is first necessary to immerse the mold in a hot water bath. Hot tap water may be used and should rise within the base to a level Where it surrounds the portion of the mold containing the conical depression. The air vents in the top of the mold will permit the water to rise inside the base to this level. The crayon to be reshaped is then placed in the conical depresssion where it becomes softened by the heat conducted through the mold from the hot water. As the crayon becomes softened by the heat it may be moved further into the conical depression thus reforming the point. The opening at the apex of the conical depression permits air to pass from beneath the crayon being moved downward into the die; and also, provides means for removing the crayon from the die.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the many useful objects of the crayon mold of the present invention have been achieved; and therefore, I claim:

1. A mold for use in hot water to reshape blunt heat softenable crayon points comprising: an inverted cupshaped base formed of a heat conducting material and adapted to rest on a supporting surface in a hot water bath; and, die means extending downwardly into said base for reshaping the points of a blunt heat softenable crayon inserted therein, said die means having an upwardly flaring conical depression accessible from the top of the base to receive the end of a crayon, and said base having an air vent in the top to permit hot Water to rise therein and surround the die means when said base is immersed in a hot water bath whereby, a heat softenable crayon positioned within said conical depression will be softened by the heat transferred from the hot water and reshaped by the die means.

2. A mold for use in hot water to reshape blunt heat softenable crayon points comprising: an inverted cupshaped base formed of a heat conducting material and adapted to rest on a supporting surface in a hot water bath, said base having an upwardly flaring conical depression provided in the top thereof forming a die for reshaping the point of a blunt heat softenable crayon inserted therein, and said base having an air vent in the top to permit hot water to rise therein and surround the conical depression when said base is immersed in a hot Water bath whereby, a heat softenable crayon positioned within said conical depression will be softened by the heat transferred from the hot water and reshaped by the die.

3. A mold for use in hot water to reshape blunt heat softenable crayon points comprising: an inverted cupshaped base formed of a heat conducting material and adapted to rest on a supporting surface in a hot water bath, said base having an upwardly flaring conical depression provided in the top thereof forming a die for reshaping the point of a blunt heat softenable crayon inserted therein, the apex of said conical depression having an opening for the release of air'beneath a crayon inserted References Cited in the file of this patent therein, and saidbase having an air vent in the top to UNITED STATES PATENTS permit hot water to rise immersed in a hot water bath whereby, a heat softenable crayon positioned Within said 1,552,946 Darts? 1925 conical depression will be softe'ned by the heat trans- 5 1,993,709 Chamberlain 1935 2,580,092 Herbert et a1 Dec. 25, 1951 ferred from the hot Water and reshaped by the die.

FOREIGN PATENTS 670,133 Great Britain Apr. 16, 1952 

